Bone Fragment Collector and Processor

ABSTRACT

A device for collecting and processing bone fragments comprises a housing and a filter element disposed in the housing. The filter element at least partially defines a collection chamber for the collection of a composition comprising bone fragments. An inlet cap is releasably coupled to either the housing or to the filter element and configured to receive the composition. The inlet cap includes a body, an inlet port extending from the body and configured to be coupled to a surgical tool, and a spout extending from the body opposite the inlet port. The spout includes an injection port extending into the collection chamber of the filter element. A outlet cap is releasably coupled to the housing and is configured to be coupled to a vacuum source.

BACKGROUND

Conventional medical and surgical procedures routinely involve the useof systems and tools which allow surgeons to remove bone. Such systemsoften generate bone fragments (in many instances with a drill). Onceremoved, the bone fragments, collectively referred to as bone graft, canbe used for reimplantation. In fact, the bone graft is particularlyuseful in various surgical procedures because it can be used to bridgegaps between bone segments and act as a scaffold for bone growth andsubsequent bone fusion.

In some surgical procedures, the bone are, as a matter of course,necessarily generated, harvested, and used as bone graft all in the sameprocedure. For example, spinal procedures (e.g. spinal fusion) requirethe drilling and removal of various spinal bone, and the subsequent useof bone graft. As another example, joint reconstruction and revisionprocedures require the drilling and removal of various bone, and thesubsequent use of bone graft.

In other surgical procedures, the bone fragments may be intentionallyharvested, sometimes from bones in another area of the body, for use inthe procedure that requires bone graft. In yet other procedures, bonegraft comprising bone from another patient, a cadaver, or even syntheticbone material can be used. Bone graft comprising natural bone,especially bone harvested from a patient for use on the same patient(typically referred to as auto-graft or autologous bone) is preferred bysurgeons because of its osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenicproperties and seen as the gold standard for bone fusion surgeries.

While bone collection and processing systems have generally performedwell for their intended use, there remains the need to maximize bonefragment recovery and process the bone fragments in a sterile andefficient manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the examples disclosed herein will be readily appreciatedas the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequentdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is tobe understood that the drawings are purely illustrative and are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a device for collecting a compositioncomprising bone fragments.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 along 2A-2A.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the distal end of deviceof FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 along 3-3.

FIG. 4 is an isolated side cross-sectional view of the filter element ofthe device of FIG. 1 showing a tapered side wall.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the exploded device illustrated inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is an isolated perspective view of a shaft and a piston of thedevice of FIG. 1, which are configured to be releasably coupled to oneanother.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 whichillustrates the step of acquiring the composition comprising bonefragments through the inlet cap of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 7B a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7A which furtherillustrates the step of acquiring the composition comprising bonefragments wherein a collection chamber is about half full.

FIG. 7C a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7B which furtherillustrates the step of acquiring the composition comprising bonefragments wherein a collection chamber is just about full.

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7C whichillustrates the decoupled inlet cap, the filter element with a fullcollection chamber, and the decoupled shaft which will be subsequentlyconnected to the piston so that force can be applied to the shaft tomove the piston from a first position to a second position to dischargethe composition from the device.

FIG. 7E is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7D with adecoupled inlet cap to provide access so that the decoupled shaft can beconnected to the piston and force can be applied to the shaft to movethe piston from the first position to the second position to dischargethe composition from the device.

FIG. 7F is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7E with theshaft coupled to the piston in the first position.

FIG. 7G is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7F with theshaft coupled to the piston in the first position.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the inlet cap and the outlet cap whichwere removed from the device and coupled to one another to restorevacuum airflow to the surgical tool.

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the coupled caps of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the coupled caps of FIG. 8A alongline 9A-9A.

FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the caps of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of an example of the device A-Ahaving an inlet cap which ceases vacuum airflow once a collectionchamber is filled with the composition.

FIG. 10B is a close-up view of the distal end of the device of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of another example of the devicehaving an inlet cap with a secondary fluid communication path tomaintain vacuum airflow when the collection chamber fills up with thecomposition.

FIG. 11B is a close-up view of the distal end of the device of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is an isolated perspective view of an alternative example of ashaft and a piston, which are configured to be releasably coupled to oneanother.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the device including an inlet cap whichcan be releasably coupled to the first end of the filter element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, where like numerals are used todesignate like structures throughout the several views, devices forcollecting and processing bone fragments (“the device”) are shownthroughout the Figures at 10. The device 10 of the subject disclosure isconfigured to collect and process bone fragments in connection withvarious types of medical and/or surgical procedures. More specifically,the device 10 is configured to process and collect a composition 38comprising bone fragments and other components (“the composition”) froma patient. The composition is shown throughout the Figures as 38. Thecomposition 38 is intended to be broadly construed to encompass all bonecomponents regardless of their form, e.g. bone, tissues such as stem andprogenitor cells, etc. For purposes of this disclosure the terms “bonefragments”, “bone dust”, and “the composition”, can be usedinterchangeably and share the broad construction set forth for thecomposition 38. Once processed, the composition 38 is typically used toform bone graft. In certain procedures, the composition 38 will comprisebone fragments, an irrigation solution, such as saline or water, blood,and one or more soft tissue fragments.

In additional aspects, the subject disclosure further provides a system,for use in collecting and processing bone fragments. The system includesa surgical tool 54 configured to harvest the composition 38 and shapedto couple with an inlet tube 84. In some examples, the surgical tool 54is also configured to generate, e.g. grind, cut, shave, or abrade, boneto yield bone fragments. In such examples, the system includes thesurgical tool 54 which is configured to both generate bone fragments andharvest, i.e., aspirate, the composition 38. The system may also includethe inlet tube 84 through which the composition 38 is conveyed from thesurgical tool 54 to the device 10 for collecting and processing bonefragments. In a typical example, the composition 38 is aspirated fromthe patient using the surgical tool 54, which causes the aspiratedcomposition 38 to be collected in the device 10. The vacuum source 64 isin communication with the surgical tool 54 through the device 10 and oneor more tubes.

A representative example of the device 10 is illustrated throughout theFigures. As a general overview with reference to FIG. 1, the device 10includes an inlet cap 48, a housing 12 having a filter element 22disposed therein, and an outlet cap 60. Generally, the outlet cap 60 isproximally coupled to the device 10, and a vacuum source 64 is coupledto the outlet cap 60 via a outlet tube 86. The outlet cap 60 is in fluidcommunication with the housing 12 and thus carries a vacuum airflowwhich aspirates the composition 38 from the patient, and causes thesubsequent collection of the composition 38 in the device 10. The inletcap 48 is distally coupled to the device 10, and a surgical tool 54,e.g. a cutting device, is connected to the inlet cap 48 via an inlettube 84. In some examples, the surgical tool 54 generates andsubsequently aspirates the composition 38. However, it should beappreciated that the system may include a dedicated handheld aspiratorin conjunction with a cutting tool 54. In such configurations, thesurgical tool 54 illustrated in FIG. 1 is the aspirator, which willaspirate the composition from the surgical site, and the cutting tool(not separately shown) is used to separately generate the composition 38from the patient.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, the inlet cap 48 is in fluid communicationwith the device 10 and receives the composition 38, which issubsequently deposited/injected into, and collected in a collectionchamber 36 which is partially defined by the filter element 22. Once thecomposition 38 is collected in the collection chamber 36, the end caps48, 60 can be removed from the housing 12 and/or filter element 22 andthe composition 38 can be harvested for use as bone graft. A shaft 78can then be coupled to the piston 42 and force can be applied to thepiston 42 via the shaft 78 to move the piston 42 from a first position45 to a second position 46 and discharge the composition 38 collected inthe collection chamber 36, i.e., the composition 38 can be harvested.Further, once removed, the inlet cap 48 and the outlet cap 60 areconfigured to be coupled to one another and can thus be coupled togetherto restore vacuum airflow to the surgical tool 54.

In many examples, the collection chamber has a total volume of fromabout 15 to about 30, alternatively from about 20 to about 25, cm³. Suchcollection chamber volumes allow for collection of an appropriate amountof composition 38, and also facilitate user friendly operation(handling) and harvesting (harvesting with minimal force) of the device10. In various non-limiting examples, all values and ranges of valuesincluding and between those described above are hereby expresslycontemplated for use herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-12 generally, various examples and aspects ofthe device 10 are illustrated. Referring now to FIG. 2A, the device ofthis example includes the housing 12 and the filter element 22 at leastpartially disposed therein. The housing 12 includes a distal end 14, aproximal end 16, and an outer wall 18 having an outer surface 19 and aninner surface 20 extending between the distal and proximal ends 14, 16.For purposes of the subject disclosure, the distal end 14 is generallycloser to the patient, and the proximal end 16 is generally further fromthe patient, and proximal to the vacuum source 64. In a typical example,the housing 12 is cylindrical in shape and defines a volume. Of course,the housing 12 (and the filter element 22 for that matter) need not becylindrical—and can thus have a cross-sectional profile other thancircular, e.g. can have ovular, elliptical, or polygonal cross-sectionalprofile. The housing 12 is typically open-ended, unless the caps 48, 60are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends 14, 16. Thefilter element 22 is partially disposed within the volume. In otherwords, at least a portion of the filter element 22 is positioned withinthe lumen of the housing 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the filter element 22 includes a first end 24,a second end 26, and a side wall 28 joining the first and second ends24, 26. The first end 24 is positioned closer to the distal end 14 ofthe housing 12 than the second end 26, and the second end 26 ispositioned closer to the proximal end 16 of the housing 12 than thefirst end 24. In the configurations shown here, the filter element 22 isopen-ended on both the first and second ends 24, 26.

In the examples shown in the Figures, the filter element 22 is coupledto or secured within the housing 12 via a “snap fit” configuration. InFIG. 5A, one particular example of a “snap fit” configuration isillustrated wherein the first end 24 of the outer peripheral surface 32of the side wall 28 of the filter element 22 includes two posts 90located opposite one another, while the outer wall 18 of the housing 12includes two corresponding holes 91 into which the two posts 90 are snapfit or secured. Further, the first end 24 of the outer peripheralsurface 32 of the side wall 28 of the filter element 22 includes acollar 82 extending radially around the distal end 14 of the housing 12for alignment and sealing purposes. Of course, many different mechanismscan be used to couple the filter element 22 to the housing 12, and thisis just one non-limiting example.

For example, a collar 82 can be utilized to secure the filter element 22into the housing 12. In one such example, the inner surface of anL-shaped collar 82 includes a groove extending radially, and the outerwall of the housing 12 includes a corresponding rib extending radially.In such examples, the collar 82 may be integral with the housing 12, thefilter element 22, or may be a stand-alone component that joins thehousing 12 to the filter element 22. Of course, the housing 12 and thefilter element 22 can be sealed mechanically (as described above,interference fit, etc.) or with the use of an elastomeric (e.g. siliconerubber) sealing member. One example of use of the elastomeric sealingmember would be the use of a groove and/or a flanges (on the housing 12and/or the filter element 22) in combination with an O-ring which sitsbetween the housing 12 and the filter element 22.

In various examples the housing 12, the filter element 22, the inlet cap48, and/or the outlet cap 60 are sealed via the elastomeric (e.g.silicone rubber) sealing member(s). One example of use of theelastomeric sealing member would be the use of a groove and/or a flanges(on the housing 12 and/or the filter element 22) in combination with anO-ring which sits between the housing 12 and the filter element 22.Another example would be the use of the sealing member on the interiorsurface of the outlet cap 60 so that the outlet cap 60 has a robust sealwhen engaged with the device 10 and also a robust seal when engaged withthe inlet cap 48 (when used to restore vacuum as described herein).

As is best shown in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, the side wall 28 of the filterelement 22 defines an inner peripheral surface 30 and an outerperipheral surface 32, and has a plurality of apertures 34 therein. Theside wall 28 of the filter element 22 at least partially defines thecollection chamber 36 for collection of the composition 38. The outerperipheral surface 32 of the side wall 28 and the inner surface 20 ofthe outer wall 18 of the housing 12 are spaced apart from one another todefine an exterior radial volume 40. The apertures 34 may take anysuitable form, such as perforations, slots, etc.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5A, the outer peripheral surface 32of the side wall 28 may include one or more ribs 88 extendinglongitudinally from the first end 24 toward the second end 26 of thefilter element 22. The ribs 88 which abut the inner surface 20 of theouter wall 18 of the housing 12 function to strengthen the outer wall 18and maintain the exterior radial volume 40. The ribs 88 can becontinuous or discontinuous. Discontinuous ribs 88 may also be referredto as fins. The example of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5A includes tri-tipped fins88. In some examples, where the ribs 88 are continuous, the ribs 88provide separate fluid channels within the exterior radial volume 40.

Alternatively, in some examples, the ribs 88 may be formed on the innersurface 20 of the housing 12 and can be just as previously described.

In many examples, the side wall 28 of the filter element 22 alsoincludes at least one bypass hole 70 in fluid communication with theexterior radial volume 40. Of course, more than one hole may beincluded, and the hole may assume various shapes and sizes. In a typicalexample, the at least one bypass hole 70 is larger than or has a largerdiameter or area than the plurality of apertures 34 in the sidewall 28of the filter element 22. This at least one bypass hole 70 is positionedso that when the inlet cap 48 is removed, vacuum airflow can bemaintained since a fluid communication path can be established throughthe at least on bypass hole 70, into the exterior radial volume 40 (thevolume between the outer peripheral surface 32 of the filter element 22and the inner surface 20 of the outer wall 18 of the housing 12) and outof the outlet cap 60, without overly drying out the composition 38. Itis useful, in certain configurations, to prevent the moisture content ofthe composition 38 from being lowered too much as maintaining sufficientmoisture content has shown to be beneficial for cell viability.

To this end, the filter element 22 is partially within the volumedefined by the housing 12. Further, within the filter element 22 is thepartially-defined collection chamber 36 (a defined sub-volume) andbetween the filter element 22 and the housing 12 lies the exteriorradial volume 40 (another defined volume). The composition 38 typicallyfollows a primary communication path through the inlet cap 48 and intothe collection chamber 36, wherein excess fluid is drawn through theplurality of apertures 34, into the exterior radial volume 40, and outof the outlet cap 60. It should be appreciated that, once thecomposition 38 is drawn into the collection chamber 36 of the filterelement 22, filtrate is drawn through the plurality of apertures 34 inthe side wall 28 of the filter element 22, and out of the outlet cap 60.In so doing, the filter element 22 functions as a filter to furtherremove filtrate (liquid) components from the composition 38 and thuschange the composition 38. As such, the components and properties of thecomposition 38 (e.g. irrigation solution, blood, excess soft tissue,etc.) taken in by the system 10, the amount of time the composition 38spends in the filter element 22, the surface area and patterning of theplurality of apertures 34, and the strength of the vacuum all impact thephysical characteristics of the “plug” of composition 38 which is formedin the filter element 22.

In some examples, the plurality of apertures 34 collectively open fromabout 0.5 to about 25, alternatively from about 0.6 to about 10,alternatively from about 0.6 to about 5, alternatively from about 0.7 toabout 2, alternatively from about 0.8 to about 1.2, % of a total surfacearea of the inner peripheral surface 30 of the side wall 28 of thefilter element 22 to optimize hydration (prevent dehydration orexcess-hydration) of the composition 38 collected in the collectionchamber 36. In some such examples, the plurality of apertures 34 areuniformly spaced about the side wall 28 of the filter element 22. Inother examples, the plurality of apertures 34 are patterned in groups orlines to optimize the hydration of the composition 38 collected in thecollection chamber 36. In FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, one such optimizedplurality of apertures 34 is illustrated. In some examples, theapertures can be circular and have a diameter of from about 0.2 to about2.00, alternatively from about 0.4 to about 1.5, alternatively fromabout 0.6 to about 1.2, mm. In some examples, the outer peripheralsurface 32 of the side wall 28 may include from about 40 to about 200,alternatively from 80 to about 140, alternatively from about 100 toabout 120 apertures 34. The apertures can have shapes other than roundas well, e.g. ovular, elliptical, or polygonal shape. In variousnon-limiting examples, all values and ranges of values including andbetween those described in the paragraph above are hereby expresslycontemplated for use herein.

In some examples, the plurality of apertures 34 are patterned in linesto optimize the hydration of the composition 38 collected in thecollection chamber 36. FIG. 4 shows the plurality of apertures 34arranged in a pattern of diagonal or helical lines in the side wall 28of the filter element 22. Of course, the plurality of apertures 34 couldbe arranged in a pattern of perpendicular lines (not shown in thedrawings) in the side wall 28 of the filter element 22. In suchexamples, each line can have from about 2-12, alternatively from about2-4 holes therein. The plurality of apertures 34 (e.g. lines) can bedispersed relatively evenly across, e.g. spread out on the filterelement 22, or dispersed as to progressively increase or decreaselongitudinally from the first end 24 toward the second end 26 of thefilter element 22.

A piston 42 is moveably disposed within the filter element 22. Thepiston 42 includes a piston surface 43, which pushes the plug of thecomposition 38 out of the collection chamber 36, and a piston shaftmount 44 opposite the piston surface 43 and outside of the collectionchamber 36, which cooperates with the attachment element 77 of the shaft78 to connect thereto. In a typical example, the piston shaft mount 44and the attachment element 77 are shaped to snap fit with one another.Of course, it should be appreciated that the piston shaft mount 44 andthe attachment element 77 are shaped in any way suitable to releasablycouple to one another.

The piston 42 is movable between a first 45 and a second position 46. Inthe first position 45, the piston 42 at least partially defines thecollection chamber 36. The piston 42, in conjunction with the sidewall28 of the filter element 22 defines the end and side walls of thecollection chamber 36 when the piston 42 is in the first position 45. Inother words, the piston 42 functions as a movable end wall of thecollection chamber 36. In the first position 45, the piston 42 islocated proximate to the second end 26 of the filter element 22, and thevolume defined by the collection chamber 36 is at a maximum. In thesecond position 46, the piston 42 may be located proximate the first endof the filter element 24, and the volume defined by the collectionchamber 36 is at a minimum. In some examples, a flange (not shown in thedrawings) extends radially about the inner peripheral surface 30 of theside wall 28 of the filter element 22 at its second end 26 such that thepiston 42 abuts the flange when the piston 42 is in the first position45. In other examples as is shown in FIG. 2A, the piston 42 is profiledsuch that it includes a radial protrusion that abuts the second end 26of the side wall 28 of the filter element 22 which has a portion 80tapered radially inward. The tapered portion 80 allows more space in theexterior radial volume 40 at the proximal end of the device 10 fordebris (e.g. accumulated blood clots and other) to be cleared out of thedevice 10 if accumulation of such debris occurs between the filterelement 22 and the housing 12. Plus, the tapered portion 80 allows for agenerous lead into the piston 42 when it is in the first position 45 orbeing assembled into the device 10 so that the piston 42 can be itseated correctly into the filter element 22 and does not get hung up asit can with as flange.

In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the piston 42 includes a piston surface(radial protrusion) which provides a flat, round surface slideabllyengaged in the collection chamber 36 to push the composition 38therethrough. The second radial protrusion acts to provide a secondbarrier for the composition 38 and stabilizes the piston 42 and shaft 78thereon as they are pushed through the collection chamber 36 todischarge the composition 38. In various examples, additional distalprotrusions (behind the first two protrusions), extending radiallyaround the piston 42 and are used to distally secure the piston 42within the device 10 during shipping and handling. Such protrusions mayextend beyond the clearance radius.

The inlet cap 48 is configured (or shaped) to be releasably coupled toeither the distal end 14 of the housing 12 or the first end 24 of thefilter element 22. In the examples shown throughout the Figures, theinlet cap 48 is releasably coupled to the first end 24 of the filterelement 22. However, it should be appreciated that, in variousalternative examples, the inlet cap 48 could be releasably coupled to(or configured to be releasably coupled to) the distal end 14 of thehousing 12. The inlet cap 48 includes a body 50, an inlet port 52extending from the body 50 and configured to be coupled to the surgicaltool 54, and a spout 56 extending from the body 50 opposite the inletport 52. The spout 56 includes an injection port 58 extending beyond thefirst end 24 of the filter element 22 and into the collection chamber 36of the filter element 22. Of course, the inlet cap 48 is configured toreceive the composition 38. More specifically, the inlet port 52 istypically connected to the surgical tool 54 via the inlet tube 84. Thecomposition is drawn through the surgical tool 54, through the inlettube 84, and into the inlet port 52 of the inlet cap 48. The composition38 moves through the body 50 of the inlet cap 48, through the spout 56,and out of the injection port 58 and into the collection chamber 36.Notably, the injection port 58 of the spout 56 extends into thecollection chamber 36 at the first end 24 of the filter element 22, andin some examples, into the collection chamber 36 at the first end 24 ofthe filter element 22 such that the injection port is located proximally(or past) where the apertures 34 are first located on the side wall 28of the filter element 22. In other examples, the spout 56 extends intothe collection chamber 36 at the first end 24 of the filter element 22such that the injection port is located distally (or before) where theapertures 34 are first located on the side wall 28 of the filter element22. The spout 56 (and a first collar 67 either on the spout 56 or on avacuum spacer 66) ensures that the composition 38 is delivered into thefilter element 22, and also results in minimal composition 38 fallingout of the device 10 when the inlet cap 48 is removed. The spout 56helps to project the composition 38 into the filter element 22 towardsthe piston 42.

In some examples, the spout 56 also helps with the stopping of thevacuum airflow when full. Once the end of the spout 56 is backed up withcomposition 38, the flow gradually reduces to below acceptable levels.

The outlet cap 60 is configured (or shaped) to be releasably coupled toeither the proximal end 16 of the housing 12 or the second end 26 of thefilter element 22. In the examples shown throughout the Figures, theoutlet cap 60 is releasably coupled to the proximal end 16 of thehousing 12. However, it should be appreciated that, in variousalternative examples, the outlet cap 60 could be releasably coupled tothe second end 26 of the filter element 22. Further, the outlet cap 60includes an outlet port 62 configured to be coupled to a vacuum source64. Typically the outlet port 62 is connected to the vacuum source 64via the outlet tube 86. As such, the outlet cap 60 is in fluidcommunication with the device 10.

In FIG. 2B a cross-sectional view along line 2A-2A of the exemplarydevice of FIG. 1 is illustrated. In the example of FIG. 2B, the inletcap 48 includes the body 50, the inlet port 52 extending from the body50, and a spout 56 extending from the body 50 opposite the inlet port52. In the example of FIG. 2A, the inlet cap 48 cooperates with thevacuum spacer 66 which is positioned around the outer periphery of thespout 56. In simple terms, the spout 56 is like a finger and the vacuumspacer 66 is like a ring that fits on the finger. Further, an exteriorradial surface of the spout 56 is shaped to cooperate with an interiorradial surface of the vacuum spacer 66. The vacuum spacer 66 includesthe two collars 67, 68. The first collar 67 extends radially around thespout 56 and abuts an inner peripheral surface of the inlet cap 48 whenthe inlet cap 48 is coupled to the distal end 14 of the housing 12 orthe first end 24 of the filter element 22. The second collar 68 extendsradially around the spout 56 towards, but does not abut, the innerperipheral surface 30 of the of the side wall 28 of the filter element22 when the inlet cap 48 is coupled to the distal end 14 of the housing12 or the first end 24 of the filter element 22.

In some examples, the inlet cap 48 and spout 56 is molded as one pieceand the vacuum spacer 66 including the collars 67, 68 is molded asanother piece and then mechanically (e.g. press fit) or adhesively (e.g.glued) coupled to the a collar onto the spout 58. This design reducedconcern over the joint created being airtight and simplified the moldingand assembly of the inlet cap 48. That is, the vacuum spacer 66 allowsfor efficient molding of the inlet cap 48 and efficient assembly of thedevice 10.

The first collar 67 partially defines the collection chamber 36 andfunctions to prevent the device 10 from collecting any composition 38substantially distal the injection port 58, which minimizes composition38 loss and makes removal of the inlet cap 48 a neater process. In thisexample, the device 10 may also include a second collar 68 spaced apartfrom the first collar 67 and located closer to the inlet port 52 thanthe first collar 67. The second collar 68 extends radially around theinjection port 58 towards, but does not abut, the inner peripheralsurface 30 of the of the side wall 28 of the filter element 22. Thesecond collar 68 helps ensure that the device 10 ceases vacuum once thecollection chamber 36 of the filter element 22 is filled with thecomposition 38, prevents the composition 38 from seeping between thecollars 67, 68 and into a secondary fluid communication path oncecomposition 38 fills the collection chamber 36 of the filter element 22thus preventing the loss of collected composition 38 through the atleast one bypass hole 70 when the inlet cap 48 is connected to thefilter element 22.

The secondary fluid communication path runs through at least one bypasshole 70, between the inner surface 20 of the housing 12 and the outerperipheral surface 32 of the filter element 22 and into the exteriorradial volume 40, and out of the outlet cap 60.

In the example of FIG. 2A, the at least one bypass hole 70 is located onthe side wall 28 of the filter element 22 such that, when the inlet cap48 is coupled to the filter element 22, the at least one bypass hole 70is located between the first and second collars 67, 68 of the vacuumspacer 66. The at least one bypass hole 70 (in the example of FIG. 2Aplurality of bypass holes 70) between the collars 67, 68 allows forvacuum airflow to be re-established when the inlet cap 48 is removedfrom the device 10 filled with the composition 30. That is, the at leastone bypass hole 70 provides the secondary fluid communication path oncethe collection chamber 36 of the filter element 22 of the device is fulland the inlet cap is removed. The secondary fluid communication pathbetween the outer peripheral surface 32 of the filter element filter 22and the inner surface 20 of the housing 12 is routed around thecomposition 38 collected in the collection chamber 36 of the filterelement 22 to ensure that the composition 38 collected in the collectionchamber 36 of the filter element 22 is not overly dried when the inletcap 48 is removed from the device 10 and the outlet cap 60 is stilldrawing vacuum. A further benefit of the at least one bypass hole 70 isthat any liquids accumulated between the housing 12 and the filterelement 22 can be easily drained from the device 10 through the outletcap 60 with vacuum airflow which is reestablished through the secondaryfluid communication path.

It should be appreciated that some examples of this device 10 do notinclude a vacuum spacer 66, just the two collars 67, 68. In suchexamples, the first collar 67 extends from and radially around the spout56 and abuts an inner peripheral surface of the inlet cap 48 when theinlet cap 48 is coupled to the distal end 14 of the housing 12 or thefirst end 24 of the filter element 22 and the second collar 68 extendsfrom and radially around the spout 56 towards, but does not abut, theinner peripheral surface 30 of the of the side wall 28 of the filterelement 22 when the inlet cap 48 is coupled to the distal end 14 of thehousing 12 or the first end 24 of the filter element 22.

FIGS. 10A and B and 11A and B illustrate two different examples of thedevice 10 that does not include the vacuum spacer 66, just the twocollars 67, 68. FIGS. 10 A and B illustrate an example of the device 210having an inlet cap 248 that that does not include the vacuum spacer 66and that ceases to allow vacuum air flow once the collection chamber 236is filled with the composition 38. In contrast, FIGS. 11 A and Billustrates an example of the device 310 having an inlet cap 348 thatdoes not include the vacuum spacer 66 and that allows for the overflowof composition 38 and maintains vacuum airflow when the collectionchamber 336 fills up with the composition 38.

Referring now specifically to the example of FIG. 10B, the device 210illustrated includes the inlet cap 248. The inlet cap may include thefirst collar 267 extending radially around the spout 256 and abuttingthe inner peripheral surface 230 of the side wall 228 of the filterelement 222 when the inlet cap 248 is coupled to the distal end 214 ofthe housing 212 or the first end 224 of the filter element 222. Thisfirst collar 267 partially defines the collection chamber 236 andfunctions to prevent the device 10 from collecting any composition 38substantially distal the exit of an injection port 258, which minimizescomposition 38 loss and makes removal of the inlet cap 248 a neaterprocess. In this example, the device 210 may also include the secondcollar 268 spaced apart from the first collar 267 and located closer tothe inlet port 252 than the first collar 267. Like the first collar 267,the second collar 268 also extends radially around the spout 256 andabuts the inner peripheral surface 230 of the side wall 228 of thefilter element 222 when the inlet cap 248 is coupled to the distal end214 of the housing 212 or the first end 224 of the filter element 222.In the example of FIG. 10, the at least one bypass hole 270 is locatedon the side wall 228 of the filter element 222 such that, when the inletcap 248 is coupled to the filter element 222, the at least one bypasshole 270 is located between the first and second collars 266, 268 of thespout 256. The at least one bypass hole 270 located on the side wall 228of the filter element 222 is different than a plurality of apertures 234also found on the side wall 228 of the filter element 222. As such, theat least one bypass hole 270 does not function until the inlet cap 248is decoupled and the ceases to allow vacuum air flow once the collectionchamber 236 is filled with the composition 38.

Referring now specifically to the example of FIG. 11B, the device 310illustrated includes the inlet cap 348 having the first and secondcollars 367, 368 which extend radially around the spout 356 and abut theinner peripheral surface 330 of the side wall 328 of the filter element322 when the inlet cap 348 is coupled to the distal end 314 of thehousing 312. In the example of FIG. 11, the at least one bypass hole 370is located on the side wall 328 of the filter element 322 such that,when the inlet cap 348 is coupled to the filter element 322, the atleast one bypass hole 370 is located between the first and secondcollars 367, 368 of the spout 352. The at least one bypass hole 370located on the side wall 328 of the filter element 322 is different thana plurality of apertures 334 also found on the side wall 328 of thefilter element 322. Further, the injection port 358 of the spout 356includes at least one corresponding bypass hole 372, wherein thecorresponding bypass hole 372 is located between the first and secondcollars 367, 368 of the spout 356 and thus in communication with the atleast one bypass hole 370 located on the side wall 328 of the filterelement 322 when the inlet cap 348 is coupled to the filter element 322such that a secondary fluid communication path is provided. The overflowfluid path runs through wherein the corresponding bypass hole 372,between the first and second collars 367, 368, the at least one bypass370, through the corresponding at least one bypass hole 372, into theexterior radial volume 340, and out of the outlet cap 360 and thusprovides an over flow path for the composition 38 and maintains vacuumairflow when the filter element 322 fills up with the composition 38. Assuch, the inlet cap 348 is designed to maintain vacuum airflow once thecollection chamber 336 is filled with the composition 38.

It should be appreciated that when the device 10 includes a vacuumspacer 66 some examples can include a vacuum spacer which includes athird bypass hole to allow the device 10 to maintain vacuum airflow oncethe collection chamber 36 is filled with the composition 38.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device 10 of FIG. 1 along 3-3 ofthe device 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an isolated cross-sectional view ofthe filter element 22 having a side wall 28 which is tapered 74 suchthat a diameter 76 of the collection chamber 36 and cross-sectional areaof the collection chamber 36 in a longitudinal direction of the filterelement 22 increases as the side wall 28 extends from the second end 26towards the first end 24 of the filter element 22. Still referring toFIG. 4, both the tapering 74 of the side wall 28, and the decrease inthe diameter 76 and cross-sectional area of the collection chamber 36 isshown. For example, the diameter 76 a of the collection chamber 36 atthe second end 26 of the filter element 22 is less than the diameter 76b of the collection chamber 36 at the first end 24 of the filter element22. In the example of FIG. 4, the tapering is accomplished viadecreasing thickness of the side wall 28 as it extends form the secondend 26 to the first end 24 of the filter element 22. In such examples,force required to move the piston 42 from the first position 45 to thesecond position 46 when the collection chamber 36 is filled with thecomposition 38 is minimized. That is, the tapered 74 side wall 28facilitates the discharge of the composition 38 from the collectionchamber 36 of the filter element 22. In other words, the increasingcross-sectional area makes the movement of the piston 42 from the firstposition 45 to the second position 46 easy, such that less force needsto be applied through the shaft 78 and jamming of the device 10 does notoccur. Further, as a secondary benefit, the device optimizes thehydration of the “plug” of composition 38 in the collection chamber 36which also makes discharge easier because the composition 38 does notflow around or enter into a gap between the face of the piston 42 andthe side wall 28 of the filter element 22, where the gap in sizeincreases as the piston 42 moves from the first position 45 to thesecond position 46. Furthermore, the composition 38 is hydratedsufficiently, making the effective size of the bone fragments largeenough in at least one dimension such that the composition 38 does notflow around or enter into a gap between the face of the piston 42 andthe side wall 28 of the filter element 22, where the gap in sizeincreases as the piston 42 moves from the first position 45 to thesecond position 46. It should be appreciated that the cross-sectionalarea of the piston 42 and/or cross-sectional of the filter element 22may be adjusted such that the size of the gap is small enough to preventbone fragments from moving therethrough.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the device 10 of FIG. 1 andFIG. 5B is an exploded cross-sectional view of the device 10 of FIG. 5A.FIG. 5B, also illustrates the tapered 74 side wall 28 of the filterelement 22 of the example of FIG. 1.

The device 10 includes a shaft 78 configured to be releasably coupled tothe piston 42 to move the piston 42 between the first and secondpositions 45, 46. The shaft 78 includes a shaft attachment element 77and a press pad 79. In FIG. 6, an isolated perspective view of a shaft78 and a piston 42 of the device of FIG. 1, which are configured to bereleasably coupled via a “snap fit” to one another, are illustrated.

Of course, the shaft attachment element 77 of the shaft 78 and thepiston attachment element 44 of the piston 42 are shaped to releasablycouple to one another via various interfaces including, but not limitedto, a threadable interface, such as with a bayonet joint, a “snap fit”interface, etc.

In FIG. 12, a shaft 178 and a piston 142, which are configured to bethreadably coupled to one another is illustrated. In the example of FIG.12, the attachment element 177 of the shaft 178 and the attachmentelement 144 of the piston 178 are threaded. Once coupled, the press pad179 of the shaft 178 can be pressed to move the piston 142 such that thepiston surface 143 pushes a plug of the composition 38 out of the device10.

In various examples, once the collection chamber 36 is full ofcomposition 38, and the caps 48, 60 are removed, the shaft 78 can becoupled to the piston 42. Force can be applied to the shaft 78 to movethe piston 42 from the first position 45 to the second position 46 todischarge the composition 38 from the collection chamber 36 of thefilter element 22. The shaft 78 can also be used to move the piston 42back to the first position 45, i.e., retract the position, and then bedecoupled from the piston 42. Once the shaft 78 is decoupled from thepiston 42, the caps 48, 60 can be removed and the process can berepeated to harvest and discharge more composition 38.

In many examples, the inlet cap 48 and the outlet cap 60 are configuredto be coupled to one another such that after the composition 38 isacquired through the inlet port 52 and collected in the collectionchamber 36 and the inlet cap 48 and the outlet cap 60 have been removedfrom the filter element 22 and/or the housing 12 to harvest thecomposition 38, the inlet cap 48 and the outlet cap 60 can be coupled toone another to restore vacuum airflow to the surgical tool 54. FIGS. 8Aand 8B and 9A and 9B illustrate the coupling of the inlet cap 48 and theoutlet cap 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the vacuum spacer 66 includes thefirst and second collars 67, 68, as well as a J-notch post 110.Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the inlet cap 48 and the outlet cap 60can be coupled by inserting the J-notch post 110 of the vacuum spacer 66on the spout 56 of the inlet cap 48 into a J-notch 112 of the outlet cap60 and rotating the inlet cap 48 to releasably couple the inlet cap 48to the outlet cap 60, an indicia 116 on the outlet cap 60 and theindicia 106 on the inlet cap 48 line-up to indicate that the outlet cap60 and the inlet cap 48 are fully engaged. The vacuum spacer 66 ensuresthat when the two end caps 48, 60 are coupled to one another to restorevacuum airflow there is a seal between the caps 48, 60 to prevent theaccumulation of fluid therebetween, while the spout 56 provides abridging lumen between the two end caps 48, 60. It should be appreciatedthat in various examples, the inlet cap 48 (the body 50 and/or the spout56) may also include the first collar 67, the second collar 68, and/or aJ-notch post 110. For example, the first and second collars 67, 68 couldextend radially around the spout 56 and the J-notch post 110 could alsobe located on the spout 56 or body 50.

As described above, the inlet cap 48 and the outlet cap 60 areconfigured (or shaped) to be releasablly coupled to the filter element22 and/or the housing 12. The inlet and outlet caps 48, 60 can becoupled to the device 10 via mechanical know in the art (e.g. snap fit,J-notch, and other mechanical couplings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the inlet cap 48 is releasably coupled to thefirst end 24 of the filter element 22. A J-notch post 104 on the firstend of the filter element 22 cooperates with a J-notch 102 on the inletcap 48 to couple the inlet cap 48 to the device 10. As is shown in FIG.1, when the inlet cap 48 is fully engaged with the device 10, an indicia106 on the inlet cap 48 lines-up with an indicia 108 on the housing 12to indicate that the inlet cap 48 is fully engaged with the device 10.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an example of the device 10 with analternative inlet cap 48 is releasably coupled to the first end 24 ofthe filter element 22. In the example of FIG. 13, a “tear drop” shapedJ-notch post 105 on the first end 24 of the filter element 22 is shown.The J-notch post 105 provides more contact with the J-notch 102 and morerobust engagement/coupling between the inlet cap 48 and the filterelement 22. In various examples, the device includes J-notch posts ofvarious cross-sectional profiles e.g. round, ovular, elliptical,polygonal, or tear-drop shaped as shown in FIG. 13. Further, in theexample device 10 of FIG. 13 a friction button 103 on the first end 24of the filter element 22 is shown. When the inlet cap 48 is engaged withthe filter element 22 the friction button 103 sits at a mouth of theJ-notch 102 to prevent the inlet cap 48 from moving, thereby ensuringthat the inlet cap 48 maintains full engagement with the device 10 (i.e.is not loosened during use).

Referring back to FIG. 1, the outlet cap 60 is releasablly coupled tothe proximal end 16 of the housing 12. The outlet cap 60 has the J-notch112 therein and the proximal end of the outer wall 18 of the housing 12has a J-notch post 114 thereon. Referring again to FIG. 1, when theoutlet cap 60 is fully engaged with the device 10 the indicia 116 on theoutlet cap 60 and an indicia 118 on the housing 12 line-up to indicatethat the outlet cap 60 and the housing 12 are fully engaged.

A method of collecting and processing bone fragments with the device 10is also disclosed herein. The method utilizes various examples of thedevice 10 as described above and includes the steps of: providing thedevice 10; acquiring the composition 38 through the inlet cap 48;collecting the composition 38 in the filter element 22; decoupling theinlet cap 48 from the housing 12 or the filter element 22; decouplingthe outlet cap 60 from the housing 12; applying a force in a firstdirection to move the piston 42 from the first position 45 to the secondposition 46 to discharge the composition 38 from the filter element 22;and applying a force in a second direction so that the device 10 can beused to harvest additional composition 38.

FIGS. 7A-7G illustrate various steps which may be included in the methodof collecting and processing bone fragments with the device 10.

FIGS. 7A-7C provide a cross-sectional view of the device 10 of FIG. 1during the step of acquiring the composition 38 through the inlet cap48. In FIG. 7A a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 whichillustrates the onset of composition 38 collection. In FIG. 7B, thecomposition 38 has started to collect in the collection chamber 36 ofthe device. FIG. 7C illustrates the final stages of collection whereinthe collection chamber 36 is just about full of the compositioncomprising bone fragments 38.

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the device 10 of FIG. 7C whichillustrates the decoupled inlet cap 48, the filter element 22 within thehousing 12 filled with the filtered composition 38, the outlet cap 60coupled to the housing 12, and the decoupled shaft 78 which will besubsequently connected to the piston 42 so that force can be applied tothe shaft 78 to move the piston 42 from the first position 45 to thesecond position 46 to discharge the composition 38 from the device 10.In FIG. 8, the step of decoupling the inlet cap 48 from the filterelement 22 has occurred, and the step of decoupling the outlet cap 60from the housing 12 will subsequently occur so that the piston 42 can bemoved from the first position 45 to the second position 46 to dischargethe composition 38 from the device 10.

Of course in many examples, as is illustrated in FIGS. 7E-7G, once theoutlet cap 60 has been removed from the housing 12, the method furtherincludes the step of coupling the shaft 78 to the piston 42 such thatforce can be applied to the piston 42 via the shaft 78 to move thepiston 42 from the first position 45 to the second position 46 anddischarge the composition 38 collected in the collection chamber 36 ofthe filter element 22 and into a container 120. FIG. 7E is across-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7D with a decoupled inlet cap48 to provide access so that the decoupled shaft 78 can be connected tothe piston 42 and force can be applied to the shaft 78 to move thepiston 42 from the first position 45 to the second position 46 todischarge the composition 38 from the device 10. In FIG. 7F the device10 of FIG. 7E has the shaft coupled to the piston 42 in the firstposition. Then in FIG. 7G, force has been applied to the shaft 78 tomove the piston from the first position 45 to the second position 46 todischarge the composition 38 from the device 10.

In many examples, the method further includes the step of decoupling theshaft 78 from the piston 42. In such examples, the method may alsoinclude the steps of coupling the inlet cap 48 to the housing 12 or thefilter element 22 and coupling the outlet cap 60 to the housing 12. Inturn, the steps of acquiring, collecting, decoupling the inlet cap 48,decoupling the outlet cap 60, and applying a force in a first directionto move the piston 42 from the first position 45 to the second position46 to discharge the composition 38 from the filter element 22 arerepeated at least once so that additional composition 38 can beharvested with the device 10.

Of course, referring now to FIGS. 8A-9B, once removed, the method mayfurther include the step of coupling the inlet cap 48 and the outlet cap60 to one another to restore vacuum airflow to the surgical tool 54subsequent to the steps of acquiring, collecting, decoupling the inletcap 48, and decoupling the outlet cap 60.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example of the device 10 is illustrated.Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the device 10 includes the housing 12having: (1) a piston shaft mount 92; (2) a grip 94; and (3) a clip mount96 (e.g. for a drape clip).

The piston shaft mount 92 is configured to hold the piston shaft 78while not in use. In the example shown, the piston shaft mount 92includes a first and a second clamp 98, 100, which are configured tomechanically engage the piston shaft 78. The clamp(s) may be configuredin a C-shape. FIG. 7C illustrates the piston shaft 78 engaged in thepiston shaft mount 92, while FIG. 7D illustrates the piston shaft 78disengaged from the piston shaft mount 92. The clamps may take the formof any suitable coupler configured to engage the piston shaft 78 whilethe piston 42 is not in use.

The shaft 78 of the exemplary device of FIG. 1 configured to releasablycouple to the housing 12 of the device 10. In FIG. 1, is the shaft 78 isshown decoupled from the device 10. In FIG. 2A, the shaft 78 is shownmounted to the device 10 via the piston shaft mount 92 located on theouter surface 19 of the outer wall 18 of the housing 12 which is shapedto cooperate with and releasably engage the shaft 78. In some suchexamples, the outer wall 18 of the housing 12 includes the shaft mount92 comprising one or more features (in the example of FIG. 1, twofeatures) which are shaped to releasably engage the shaft 78. As such,once the composition 38 is collected and the outlet cap 60 of the device10 is removed, a user need not look for the shaft 78, the user cansimply remove the shaft 78 from the piston shaft mount 92 and couple theshaft 78 to the piston 42 so that the composition 38 can be dischargedfrom the collection chamber 36 of the device 10 and ultimatelyharvested.

Referring now to FIGS. 7F and 7G, when the piston shaft 78 isdisengaged, and for use and coupled to the piston 42 so that force canbe applied to the piston 42 via the shaft 78 to move the piston 42 froma first position 45 to a second position 46 and discharge thecomposition 38 collected in the collection chamber 36, the grip is 94 isdisposed on the outer wall 18 of the housing 12, the grip 94 can beused. That is, when the force is being applied to shaft 78 to move thepiston 42 from a first position 45 to a second position 46 and dischargecomposition 38, a user can robustly secure the housing 12 with one handon the grip 94, and actuate or apply force to the shaft 78 with theirother hand to move the piston 42 and harvest the composition 38. Variousexamples of the grip 94, e.g. with and without finger indents,comprising various “grip friendly” materials such as elastomers andfoams are contemplated herein. The grip 94 facilitates user-friendlytwo-handed operation of the device 10, where a first hand is placedaround the grip 94 and the other hand engages the piston shaft 78.

The device can also include a grip 94. The grip may be part of thepiston shaft mount 92 or may be stand alone and located on the outerwall 18 of the housing 12. The grip 94 provides the user with improvedcontrol of the device 10 during the harvesting of the composition 38. Inthe example of FIG. 1, as an additional benefit, once the shaft 78 isremoved from the piston shaft mount 92, the grip 94, which is part ofthe piston shaft mount 92 in this example, is exposed so that when thepiston 42 is coupled to the shaft 78 and force is applied to the shaft78, the user can utilize the grip 94 to better hold the device 10 duringthe application of force to the shaft 78 and the ensuing discharge ofthe composition 38 from the collection chamber 36 of the device 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device may include a drape clipmount 96. The drape clip comprises a clip which is configured to bereleasably coupled to various surfaces, and fabrics in the operatingroom. In the example shown, a spring loaded V-clip is utilized; however,various other clip configurations known in the art can be used in lieuof the spring-loaded V-clip illustrated. As such, the device 10 can beconveniently stored (mounted) and easily located and accessed.

FIG. 4 is an isolated perspective view of the filter element 22 of thedevice 10 of FIG. 1. In this example, the plurality of apertures 34 arepatterned in diagonal lines in the side wall 28 of the filter element 22to optimize the hydration of the composition 38 collected in thecollection chamber 36. The plurality of apertures 34 (e.g. lines) aredispersed relatively evenly across, e.g. spread out on the filterelement 22. In this example, the outer peripheral surface 32 of the sidewall 28 includes two tri-tipped fins 88 extending longitudinally fromthe first end 24 toward the second end 26 of the filter element 22.

The device 10 of FIG. 1 includes the inlet cap 48 with the J-notch 102(a first rotational coupler) therein, and the outer peripheral surface32 of sidewall 28 of the first end 24 of the filter element 22 has theJ-notch post 104 (second rotational coupler) thereon. Thus, the inletcap 48 has a female configuration, and the first end 24 of the filterelement 22 has a male configuration. The J-notch post 104 (secondrotational coupler) of the first end 24 of the filter element 22 isinserted and rotated into the J-notch 102 (first rotational coupler) ofthe inlet cap 48 to releasably couple the filter element 22 to the inletcap 48, the indicia 106 on the inlet cap 48 and the indicia 108 on thehousing 12 line-up to indicate that the inlet cap 48 and the housing 12are fully engaged (i.e., are sufficiently rotated relative to oneanother such that the two are fully engaged). Notably, the inlet cap 48of this example cooperates with the vacuum spacer 66, which also has theJ-notch post 110 thereon.

Referring FIG. 1 as well as FIGS. 5A and 5B, the device 10 includes theoutlet cap 60 with the J-notch 112 therein, and the proximal end of theouter wall 18 of the housing 12 has the J-notch post 114 thereon. Theoutlet cap 60 has a female configuration, and the proximal end 16 of thehousing 12 has a male configuration. When the J-notch post 114 of theproximal end of the outer wall 18 of the housing 12 is inserted androtated into the J-notch 112 of the outlet cap 60 to releasably couplethe housing 12 to the outlet cap 60, the indicia 116 on the outlet cap60 and the indicia 118 on the housing 12 line-up to indicate that theoutlet cap 60 and the housing 12 are fully engaged.

The J-notch and j-notch posts shown throughout this disclosure may haveother suitable geometries that are coupled of facilitating rotationalcoupling between the caps 48, 60 and the housing 12, and between thecaps 48, 60 themselves. In other words, any form of rotational couplermay be used interchangeably with the various j-notch and postconfigurations described above, so long as one of the components has amale rotational coupler configuration and the other component has afemale rotational coupler configuration. Friction engagement between thecaps 48, 60 and the housing 12, and between the caps 48, 60 themselvesis also contemplated.

The rotational engagement of the caps 48, 60 with the housing 12,particularly between the inlet cap 48 and the housing 12 facilitatesintuitive decoupling, particularly when the assembly is under vacuum.

It will be appreciated that the terms “include,” “includes,” and“including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise,” “comprises,”and “comprising.” Moreover, it will be appreciated that terms such as“first,” “second,” “third,” and the like are used herein todifferentiate certain structural features and components for thenon-limiting, illustrative purposes of clarity and consistency.

Several examples have been discussed in the foregoing description.However, the examples discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustiveor limit the device to any particular form. The terminology which hasbeen used is intended to be in the nature of words of description ratherthan of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teachings and the device may be practiced otherwisethan as specifically described.

1. A device for collecting and processing bone fragments, said devicecomprising: a housing including a distal end, a proximal end, and anouter wall having an inner surface extending between the distal andproximal ends; a filter element at least partially disposed within thehousing, the filter element having: a first end; a second end, the firstend positioned closer to the distal end of the housing than the secondend; a side wall joining the first end and the second end, the side walldefining an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface,the side wall having a plurality of apertures therein, wherein the innerperipheral surface of the side wall at least partially defines acollection chamber for the collection of a composition comprising bonefragments, and the outer peripheral surface of the side wall and theinner surface of the outer wall are spaced apart from one another todefine an exterior radial volume; and a piston moveably disposed withinthe filter element and movable between a first and a second position, inthe first position, the piston at least partially defines the collectionchamber; an inlet cap configured to receive the composition comprisingbone fragments and releasably coupled to either the distal end of thehousing or the first end of the filter element, the inlet cap including:a body; an inlet port extending from the body and configured to becoupled to a surgical tool; and a spout extending from the body oppositethe inlet port, the spout including an injection port extending beyondthe first end of the filter element and into the collection chamber ofthe filter element; and an outlet cap releasably coupled to the proximalend of the housing, the outlet cap including an outlet port configuredto be coupled to a vacuum source.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein the inlet cap is configured to be coupled to the first end ofthe filter element.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 1, including afirst collar extending radially around the spout and abutting the innerperipheral surface of the side wall of the inlet cap or filter elementwhen the inlet cap is coupled to the distal end of the housing or thefirst end of the filter element.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 3,including a second collar spaced apart from the first collar and locatedcloser to the inlet port than the first collar, said second collarextending radially around the spout towards the inner peripheral surfaceof the side wall of the filter element when the inlet cap is coupled tothe distal end of the housing or the first end of the filter element. 5.The device as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a vacuum spacerwhich is positioned around the outer periphery of the spout and has thefirst and/or second collars thereon.
 6. The device as set forth in claim5, wherein the side wall of the filter element includes at least onebypass hole in fluid communication with the exterior radial volume. 7.The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the bypass hole is locatedon the spout between the first collar and the inlet port when the inletcap is coupled to the distal end of the housing or the first end of thefilter element.
 8. The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein thebypass hole is located between the first collar and a second collar whenthe inlet cap is coupled to the distal end of the housing or the firstend of the filter element.
 9. The device as set forth in claim 6,wherein the injection port of the spout includes at least onecorresponding bypass hole, wherein the corresponding bypass holecooperates with the at least one bypass hole located on the side wall ofthe filter element when the inlet cap is coupled to the filter elementsuch that a secondary fluid communication path is provided to allow forthe overflow of composition and to maintain vacuum airflow when thecollection chamber fills up with the composition.
 10. The device as setforth in claim 1, wherein the side wall of the filter element is taperedsuch that a cross-sectional area of the collection chamber in thelongitudinal direction of the filter element increases as the side wallextends from the second end towards the first end.
 11. The device as setforth in claim 1, further comprising a shaft configured to be coupled tothe piston to move the piston between the first and second positions.12. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first end of thefilter element includes a tapered portion which is tapered radiallyinward to cooperate with a radial protrusion the piston when the pistonis in the first position.
 13. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein the plurality of apertures in the side wall of the filterelement collectively open from about 5 to about 75% of a total surfacearea of the exterior peripheral surface of the side wall of the filterelement to prevent dehydration of the composition collected in thecollection chamber.
 14. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein theinlet cap and the outlet cap are configured to be coupled to one anothersuch that after the composition is acquired through the inlet port andcollected in the collection chamber and the inlet cap and the outlet caphave been removed from the filter element and/or the housing to harvestthe composition, the inlet cap and the outlet cap can be coupled to oneanother to restore vacuum airflow to the surgical tool.
 15. A device forcollecting and processing bone fragments, said device comprising: ahousing including a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer wall havingan inner surface extending between the distal end and the proximal end;a filter element at least partially disposed within the housing, thefilter element having: a first end; a second end, the first endpositioned closer to the distal end of the housing than the second end;a side wall joining the first end and the second end, the side walldefining an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface,the side wall having a plurality of apertures therein, wherein the innerperipheral surface of the side wall at least partially defines acollection chamber for the collection of a composition comprising bonefragments, the outer peripheral surface of the side wall and the innersurface of the outer wall are spaced apart from one another to define anexterior radial volume, and a portion of the side wall is tapered suchthat the cross-sectional area of the collection chamber in thelongitudinal direction of the filter element increases as the side wallextends from the second end towards the first end; and a piston moveablydisposed within the filter element and movable between a first and asecond position, wherein the piston at least partially defines thecollection chamber in the first position; an inlet cap releasablycoupled to the distal end of the housing and/or the first end of thefilter element, the inlet cap including an inlet port configured to becoupled to a surgical tool and receive the composition comprising bonefragments; and an outlet cap releasably coupled to the proximal end ofthe housing, the outlet cap including an outlet port configured to becoupled to a vacuum source; wherein the composition is acquired throughthe inlet port and collected in the collection chamber, and upon removalof the inlet cap and the outlet cap, force can be applied to the pistonto move the piston from the first position to the second position suchthat the tapered side wall facilitates the discharge of the compositionfrom the filter element. 16.-24. (canceled)
 25. The device as set forthin claim 15, further comprising a shaft configured to be releasablycoupled to the piston to move the piston between the first and secondpositions.
 26. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the firstend of the filter element includes a tapered portion which is taperedradially inward to cooperate with a radial protrusion the piston whenthe piston is in the first position.
 27. The device as set forth inclaim 15, wherein the plurality of apertures in the side wall of thefilter element collectively open from about 5 to about 75% of a totalsurface area of the exterior peripheral surface of the side wall of thefilter element to prevent dehydration of the composition collected inthe collection chamber.
 28. The device as set forth in claim 15, whereinthe inlet cap and the outlet cap are configured to be releasably coupledto one another such that after the composition is acquired through theinlet port and collected in the collection chamber and the inlet cap andthe outlet cap have been removed from the filter element and/or thehousing to harvest the composition, the inlet cap and the outlet cap canbe coupled to one another to restore vacuum airflow to the surgicaltool.
 29. A surgical system for collecting and processing bone fragmentswith a bone collection device, said surgical system comprising: ahousing including a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer wall havingan inner surface extending between the distal end and the proximal end;a filter element disposed within the housing, the filter element having:a first end; a second end, the first end positioned closer to the distalend of the housing than the second end; a side wall joining the firstend and the second end, the side wall defining an inner peripheralsurface and an outer peripheral surface, the side wall having aplurality of apertures therein, wherein the inner peripheral surface ofthe side wall at least partially defines a collection chamber for thecollection of a composition comprising bone fragments and the outerperipheral surface of the side wall and the inner surface of the outerwall are spaced apart from one another to define an exterior radialvolume; and a piston moveably disposed within the filter element movablebetween a first and a second position; a shaft configured to be coupledto the piston to move the piston between the first and second positions,wherein the piston at least partially defines the collection chamber inthe first position; an inlet cap releasably coupled to the distal end ofthe housing or the first end of the filter element, the inlet capincluding an inlet port configured to be coupled to a surgical tool andreceive the composition comprising bone fragments; and an outlet capreleasably coupled to the proximal end of the housing and in fluidcommunication with the housing, the outlet cap including an outlet portconfigured to be coupled to a vacuum source; wherein the inlet cap andthe outlet cap are configured to be coupled to one another such thatafter the composition is acquired through the inlet port and collectedin the collection chamber and the inlet cap and the outlet cap have beenremoved from the housing to harvest the composition, the inlet cap andthe outlet cap can be coupled to one another to restore vacuum airflowto the surgical tool.
 30. The surgical system as set forth in claim 29,wherein the inlet cap is configured to be coupled to the first end ofthe filter element.
 31. The surgical system as set forth in claim 29,wherein the inlet cap further includes: a body extending in a proximaldirection from the inlet port; a spout extending in a distal directionfrom the body opposite the inlet port, the spout including an injectionport extending beyond the first end of the filter element and into thecollection chamber of the filter element. 32.-41. (canceled)
 42. Thesurgical system as set forth in claim 29, wherein the side wall of thefilter element is tapered such that the cross-sectional area on thecollection area in the longitudinal direction of the filter elementincreases as the side wall extends from the second end towards the firstend. 43.-51. (canceled)